Heinz Stapff.

Stapff, of Cove Point Lane, Pembroke, was spotted by Police at 4 a.m. on September 7, turning at high speed from Middle Road on to Tee Street.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, said officers stopped Stapff's car after it narrowly missed a curb.

They noticed he appeared to be unsteady.

He told the officers: "The last thing I was drinking was soda water.'' A breath test revealed he had 135 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millitres of blood.

Stapff admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was taken off the road for a year and fined $350.

He told the court: "It was my birthday that night and I do admit the consumption of alcohol. If I had felt I was impaired I would not have entered that vehicle.''